By decade

2010s songs, explained.

Every song from the 2010s in the archive: what it is about, who wrote it and what it did on the charts, listed by artist. Years come from each song's own page.

Songs explained

Artists

2010s

Decade

All Rock Pop R&B & Soul Hip-Hop Folk & Country Latin & Reggae Electronic

46 songs

Sorted by artist

Adele HelloWhat Adele's 'Hello' means: an apology rather than a reunion, written at 27 looking back at her younger self, and the comeback single that sold 1.1 million… 2015 Adele Rolling in the DeepWhat Adele's 'Rolling in the Deep' means: a break-up song written as a threat rather than a lament, built from British slang, and the record that made her a… 2010 Adele Someone like youDive into the raw emotion of Adele's 'Someone Like You.' Explore its lyrics about heartbreak, acceptance, lingering love, and the quest for closure in her… 2011 Bastille PompeiiUncover the haunting beauty and historical depth of Bastille's 'Pompeii.' Explore the song's meaning, lyrics, chart success, and its connection to the ancient… 2013 Billie Eilish Bad guyWhat Billie Eilish's 'bad guy' means: a parody of tough-guy posturing rather than a claim to villainy, made in a bedroom, and the song that ended Old Town… 2019 Bruno Mars Locked Out of HeavenUncover the exhilarating meaning behind Bruno Mars' 'Locked Out of Heaven.' Explore its themes of euphoric love and spiritual awakening, its new wave/funk-rock… 2012 Bruno Mars Uptown FunkDive into the infectious energy, retro flair, and chart-topping success of Bruno Mars' 'Uptown Funk.' Discover its lyrics, global impact, and musical… 2014 Childish Gambino This Is AmericaWhat 'This Is America' means: the Jim Crow pose, the guns wrapped in red cloth, the choir, the dancing as distraction — and the surprising thing Donald Glover… 2018 Christina Perri A thousand yearsExplore Christina Perri's timeless ballad 'A Thousand Years.' Delve into its themes of eternal love, unwavering devotion, its connection to 'The Twilight… 2011 Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams Get LuckyDive into the electrifying rhythm and captivating themes of 'Get Lucky' by Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams. Uncover its lyrical depth, chart success, and… 2013 David Guetta ft. Sia TitaniumExplore the empowering themes of resilience and strength in David Guetta's 'Titanium' featuring Sia. Dive into its lyrics, EDM production, chart success, and… 2011 Dominic Fike BabydollWhat Dominic Fike's 'Babydoll' means: family distance, restless ambition and an eight-year sleeper hit. Its compact production, 2026 revival and lyrics… 2018 Drake Started from the BottomDelve into the rags-to-riches narrative of Drake's 'Started From The Bottom,' exploring themes of ambition, loyalty, and success. 2013 Ed Sheeran Shape of YouWhat Ed Sheeran's 'Shape of You' means: a song about a night out that turns into something, written for someone else, and built on a marimba hook that has… 2017 Ed Sheeran The A TeamExplore the heartbreaking meaning behind Ed Sheeran's debut single 'The A Team.' A folk ballad about addiction, homelessness, and lost hope. 2011 Ellie Goulding Love Me Like You DoWhat Ellie Goulding's 'Love Me Like You Do' means: a song about surrender written for Fifty Shades of Grey by a five-person team including Max Martin and Tove… 2015 Foster the People Pumped Up KicksYes, 'Pumped Up Kicks' is about a school shooting — written from inside the shooter's head. What Mark Foster says he was trying to do, what the title means… 2010 Ghost Mary on a CrossDelve into the haunting themes, lyrical depth, and enigmatic presence of Ghost's 'Mary on a Cross.' Discover its lyrics, chart performance, and cultural… 2019 Gotye Somebody that I used to knowDelve into the intricate layers of Gotye's 'Somebody That I Used to Know' featuring Kimbra. Uncover its meaning, the stark portrayal of breakup, its minimalist… 2011 Hozier Take Me to ChurchWhat Hozier's 'Take Me to Church' really means: not an attack on God but on an institution, written in an attic in Bray after a breakup, and aimed at the… 2013 Idina Menzel Let It GoExplore how Idina Menzel's 'Let It Go' from Disney's Frozen became a global anthem of self-acceptance. Dive into the song's themes, composition, awards… 2013 Imagine Dragons BelieverUncover the powerful meaning behind Imagine Dragons' 'Believer.' Explore its themes of pain, resilience, and transformation, its explosive sound, chart… 2017 Imagine Dragons DemonsWhat Imagine Dragons' 'Demons' means: a warning given as a kindness, not a confession. Plus the fact most write-ups miss — the video is real concert footage… 2013 James River Hold Back the RiverDive into the evocative storytelling, rich symbolism, and compelling musical composition of James River's hit 'Hold Back the River.' Uncover its lyrics, chart… 2015 John Legend All of MeWhat John Legend's 'All of Me' means: a piano ballad written for Chrissy Teigen before their wedding, the first US No. 1 of his career after a ten-year wait… 2013 Justin Bieber Love YourselfDive into the lyrical complexities and emotional nuances of Justin Bieber's 'Love Yourself.' Uncover the meaning behind the song, explore its chart… 2015 Justin Bieber SorryExplore the meaning behind Justin Bieber's hit 'Sorry.' Dive into its themes of apology and seeking forgiveness, its tropical house sound, chart success, and… 2015 Justin Timberlake Can't Stop the FeelingExplore the upbeat message, global success, and joyful energy of Justin Timberlake’s hit song 'Can't Stop the Feeling!'. Dive into its themes of happiness… 2016 Kendrick Lamar AlrightDive deep into Kendrick Lamar's 'Alright,' an anthem of hope and resilience. Explore its lyrics, themes of Black empowerment, cultural impact, and its role in… 2015 Kendrick Lamar LutherExplore the raw honesty, aspirational dreams, and formative struggles in Kendrick Lamar's unreleased track 'Luther.' Delve into its potent lyrics, thematic… 2010 Kid Cudi ft. Kanye West Erase MeExplore the rock-infused anthem 'Erase Me' by Kid Cudi featuring Kanye West. A story of a messy breakup and the desire to move on. 2010 Lady Gaga JudasLady Gaga Judas meaning explained: discover how the biblical betrayer represents destructive love, repeated hurt, forgiveness, inner darkness, and choice. 2011 Lizzo Truth HurtsUncover the empowering message, self-love anthem, and cultural impact of Lizzo's hit 'Truth Hurts.' Explore its themes, chart success, and iconic lyrics. 2017 Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee DespacitoDive into the vibrant rhythms and sensual lyrics of 'Despacito' by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee. Explore its cultural significance, themes of romance and… 2017 Nine Inch Nails The Background WorldDive into the chilling loop of 'The Background World' by Nine Inch Nails. Creating a sonic representation of decay and existential inevitability. 2017 One Direction You & IDiscover the meaning behind One Direction's power ballad 'You & I.' Explore the lyrics about unbreakable love, the 'Midnight Memories' era, and the music video. 2014 Rihanna DiamondsDive into the radiant world of Rihanna's 'Diamonds.' Explore its themes of unity, love, and inner strength. Discover its lyrical brilliance, chart dominance… 2012 Rihanna Man DownUnpack the gripping narrative, reggae rhythms, and emotional themes of Rihanna's 'Man Down.' Explore its lyrics, chart success, and cultural significance. 2011 Rihanna We Found LoveExplore the euphoric yet bittersweet meaning of Rihanna's 'We Found Love' featuring Calvin Harris. Dive into its lyrics about finding love in desperate times… 2011 Shakira Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)Uncover the inspiring message, cultural impact, and global phenomenon behind Shakira's 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).' Explore its lyrics, FIFA World Cup… 2010 Sia ChandelierUncover the raw emotion and hidden meaning behind Sia's 'Chandelier.' Dive into its lyrics, explore its themes of addiction, escapism, and the performance of… 2014 Taylor Swift Shake It OffExplore the empowering message of Taylor Swift's 'Shake It Off.' Dive into its themes of resilience against criticism, its upbeat pop sound, chart success, and… 2014 the Chainsmokers Don't let me downExplore the themes of vulnerability and the need for support in The Chainsmokers' hit 'Don't Let Me Down' featuring Daya. Dive into its lyrics, EDM-pop sound… 2016 The Chainsmokers CloserDive into the nostalgic and bittersweet themes of The Chainsmokers' 'Closer' featuring Halsey. Explore its lyrics about rekindled romance, its chart-topping… 2016 The Weeknd Blinding LightsDive into the electrifying world of The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights.' Discover its themes, chart success, and the retro-inspired composition that captivated… 2019 Ty Dolla $ign Don't Kill The PartyGet into the vibe of 'Don't Kill The Party' by Ty Dolla $ign. An analysis of the laid-back West Coast anthem about enjoying the moment and nocturnal hedonism. 2016

About this list

Every entry sets out what a song is about and where that reading comes from: writing credits, interviews, the record's own history. Lyrics are quoted only as far as an explanation needs. Missing a song? Suggest it and it goes on the list. Back to all songs.